Folding level.



PATENTED SEPT. 11. 1 906.

C. MASTERS.

FOLDING LEVEL.

APPLIUATION FILED MAR.28,1906.

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ATTORNEYS.

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CRAWFORD MASTERS, OF FAIROAKS. PENNSYLVANIA.

FOLDING LEVEL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 11, 1906.

Application filed March 28, 1906- Serial No. 308.468.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CRAWFORD MASTERS, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Fairoaks, in the county of Beaver and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Levels, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in levels; and the primary object of this invention is to provide a novel level which can be folded in a compact form, whereby it may be easily carried 01 conveniently packed in a kit of tools.

Another object of this invention is to provide a folding level wherein novel means is employed for rigidly retaining the different parts of the level in alinement with one another to permit of the level being used.

Briefly described, my improved level comprises a plurality of parts, which are hinged together, and in connection with one of the parts of each hinge I employ an angularlydisposed screw which is adapted to pass through one end of each part of the-level and engage in its adjoining part to rigidly retain the parts of a level in alinement with one another.

The detail construction of my improved level will be presently described and reference will now be had to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, in which Figure'l is a side elevation of my improved level. Fig. 2 is a plan. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail elevation of one of the hinges of the level. Fig. 4 is a plan.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated my improved level as consisting of three parts 1, 2, and 3, which are hinged together, as at 4 4. It is obvious that the level may be readily constructed of more parts than those illustrated; but I have found that in the ordinary level three parts are suflicient when folded to form a neat and .compact structure that may be readily carried or packed in a kit of tools. I preferably provide the central part 2 of the level with a conventional form of level-glass 5, and the upper ends of the parts 1 and 3 are capped, as at 6 6, to prevent the wood or material from which the parts are made from being injured.

The hinges 4 4 are identical in construction, with the exception that one hinge is placed upon one side of the level, while the other hinge is placed upon the opposite side, thus permitting of the part 1 of the level folding upon one side of the part 2 and the part 3 folding upon the opposite side. As each hinge is identical in construction, I deem it only necessary to describe one of said hinges, and reference now being had to Figs. 3 and 4, wherein for the clearness of illustration I have enlarged these views in order that the detail construction of said hinges may be clearly seen, each hinge comprises two angular members 7 and 8, the member 7 being carried by one part, whle the member 8 is carried by another part of the level. The members are mounted upon the parts of the level, whereby the sides 9 and 10 of said members will coincide with one another, and at the vertex of these sides the members 7 and 8 are provided with lugs 11 11 and 12 12, respectively, the lugs 12 being carried by the outer edges of the member 8 and being adapt ed to coincide with the lugs 11 11, carried by the member 7. The lugs are pierced, as at 14, in order that rivets or pins 15 may be inserted in the lugs 11 11 and 12 12 to hinge the two members 7 and 8 together. The members 7 and S are countersunk in the material, from which the parts of the level are made and are retained in engagement with the parts of the level by rivets 16 16, which pass downwardly through the parts of the level and engage plates 17 and 18 in the side of the level opposite the hinged side thereof. Each part 7 and 8 is provided with centrally-disposed ribs 19 and 20, the rib 19 being formed with an inclined edge, which borders upon a recess 21, formed in the part 2 of the level. The rib 19 is provided with an angularly-disposed opening 22, which is in alinement with a similar screw threaded opening 23, formed in the rib 20. In the openings 22 and 23 a long setscrew 24 is mounted, which is employed for retaining the parts 2 and 3 of the evel in horizontal alinement with one another when the level is to be used, the screw being partially withdrawn when it is desired to fold one part-upon another.

It is thought from the foregoing that the constructon, operation, and advantages of the hereindescribed level will be apparent without further description, and various changes in the form, proportion, and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. A fodin level embodying a plurality of parts, a leve -glass carried by one of said parts, two hinged members connecting each of the parts together, a central rib carried by each hinged member, said ribs having openings formed therein, a set-screw mounted in the opening of one rib and extending into the openng of the rib of the other member, substantially as described.

2. A folding level embodying three parts connected together and adapted to fold one upon the other, hinges connecting said parts together, each hinge consisting of two members having central ribs, a set-screw extending through one of said ribs and engaging in the rib of the other member of the hinge, substantially as described. a

' In test .mony whereof I affiX my signature in the presenceof two witnesses.

' CRAWFORD MASTERS. Witnesses:

J. B. MARTIN, CHAS. S. LITTLE. 

